Strutt Your Mutt

On Saturday, June 9th, 2012, an event was held in Beautiful Joe Park, the first annual fundraiser walkathon called “Strutt Your Mutt” with the proceeds for this year's event going towards the cost of the newest of monuments to be erected in Beautiful Joe Park. This monument of Margaret Marshall Saunders, author of the novel Beautiful Joe is the latest in an array of monuments in tribute to animals and in recognition of the life’s work of Saunders, one of the first animal rights advocates.

The event was attended by some 27 dogs and over 20 of their human companions and raised approximately $1,000. The rain held back long enough for the people and their dogs to walk the 2.5 or 3.5k routes. Judging by these photos and considering it was the first annual walkathon, we think we can say it was a huge success!

On this occasion, the Society would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors who donated merchandise for our prize table: Grandma Lambe’s, Suzie’s Place, Captains Corner Fish & Chips, The Leeky Canoe Pub & Eatery, Markdale Veterinary Services, Blue Mountain Veterinary Services, Simply Unique Flowers & Gifts, The Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, Stuff to Read, Muxlows Pharmasave, Blossom Health Club for Women, The Candle Factory, Mantra Yoga Studio, Solitudes Spa & Tanning Studio, Fotos & Flowers, The Waggin Tail Café, Hollyhock Tearoom & Gift Shop and Christine Smith.

And for the sponsors of our gift bags: Tina Gray, TD Bank, The Movie Experts, New Orleans Pizza, Kingstone Chiropractic, The Waggin Tail Café, The Perogie Palace, McGintys/Blue Mountain Veterinary Services, Loyall Pet Foods and Bluewater Feeds.

And for the free doggie bandanas! Lynda Stephens & Viv Baker for fabric.

We would also like to thank the "Strut Your Mutt" committee, without whom none of this would have taken place and Joyce Taylor for her vision and for the use of the Waggin Tail Cafe for our meetings.

A very special thanks to the talented creator of the new monument as well as other monuments in the Park including the dear statue of Joe at the entrance, Gunter Neumann. Gunter's tireless efforts for Beautiful Joe and for the community as a whole, are much appreciated.